End of my road

Traveler

Traveler

Senior Member
Location
San Diego County
For 5 years I have had major problems with my bowels. If you have a weak stomach, stop reading now !

I am now nearly house-bound due to an undiagnosed explosive diarrhea issue. I have been to 2 so-called G.I. specialists who have run all sorts of tests: Camera in both ends and i even swollowed a huge pill that was a camera and it took photos of my entire system. Results: Negative. Blood and stool samples:negative.

I have lost control in public numerous times: In Sears, at the supermarket, on city buses and trollies and while walking down the street. From the time i'm aware that I need the bathroom until I lose control can be as little as 10 seconds. Sometimes I do not even make it to my own bathroom, 20 feet away.

I know this is going to be hard to believe but sometimes totally undigested food will pass through me in 2 hours. I know this because corn eaten at lunch will end up the toilet 2 hours later.

The drs. Have given me loperimide and cholestyramine. No help.

To be honest, the drs seem to take a non-chalant attitude. I went to a social worker at my clinic and asked her to find me a specialist dietician. The social worker said she could not help with that and I should talk to my pcp. He, however, has been putting me off re: Dietician.

I can't take any more and I feel I'm at the end of the road.
 

That's a tough problem and you have my sympathies. I suspect you have tried most everything you could think of but I'm going to ask anyway if you have used some organized procedure to test for food sensitivities? They ain't easy to do by any means but with your condition that might not seem like much of an issue. Most of us need some help with it, either specialized dietician like you mentioned or some book/procedure that gives you a reasonable chance to become your own specialized dietician.

I didn't have problems on the scale you do but a few years back I used J.J. Virgins book, The Virgin Diet, after watching her presentation on TV. I found out some things that I have a problem with. Again, it ain't easy to do. You basically have to DRASTICALLY change your diet (to something that hopefully agrees with you) for a while until your symptoms go away... and that's a b___ to do. Once you get there... then each week you can add one type of food at a time that might be causing you problems back for a few days and see if the symptoms return.
 
That sounds like a Helluva way to have to live. If you are "housebound" due to this, spend some time on the Internet searching for things like "Diarrhea Treatment". I just took a look and there are dozens of sites...MayoClinic, WebMD, etc., that discuss this issue...perhaps you can find a clue that helps. Personally, I am always a bit sceptical about things I've been told during the few times I've gone to the doctor over the years...and I Always do some research on my own to verify what they tell me, or research the symptoms before and after a doctor visit. Doctors are just making a "best guess" in many cases, and the more information you can gather, the more likely you will find a solution.
 

I agree with Don, take your time and chase down the symptoms and the remedies one by one until you have followed up on each one with your PCP.

I would start with the simple things first. It could be as simple as a bacteria or parasite that your PCP overlooked while trying to find a more exotic condition or treatment.

Good luck!
 
My most recent series of stool tests have not shown any bacteria over-growth or any parasites.
I have tried a good quality probiotic but I did not see any improvement.
There are two different foods that SOMETIMES help. Homemade applesauce or lots of pasta.
One food in particular brings on the most violent B.M., coleslaw. Obviously I avoid that food. I feel that it is a tip-off but I sure don't know what it says.
 
Are you losing weight? I had the same problem that went on for seven years. I went from doctor to doctor. Finally after passing out at home from weakness A doctor finally diagnosed my problem in the hospital . I have celiac disease. Which is not a food allergy it is an intolerance to gluten,there is a difference. This can only be diagnosed for sure with a biopsy of the small intestines. There are blood tests for this but not as accurate as a biopsy. It can be controlled with a gluten free diet. I have been symptom free for years. It is a complicated diet because they throw gluten in just about everything. Go to the celiac web site for foods that are allowed. This is one test you can try yourself. Go without gluten in your diet for at least two weeks. If you improve try adding back the foods you eliminated. You may have a corn or wheat allergy and not celiac disease. Corn does not digest well even in people without problems.
 
Ruth n Jersey said:
Are you losing weight? I had the same problem that went on for seven years. I went from doctor to doctor. Finally after passing out at home from weakness A doctor finally diagnosed my problem in the hospital . I have celiac disease. Which is not a food allergy it is an intolerance to gluten,there is a difference. This can only be diagnosed for sure with a biopsy of the small intestines. There are blood tests for this but not as accurate as a biopsy. It can be controlled with a gluten free diet. I have been symptom free for years. It is a complicated diet because they throw gluten in just about everything. Go to the celiac web site for foods that are allowed. This is one test you can try yourself. Go without gluten in your diet for at least two weeks. If you improve try adding back the foods you eliminated. You may have a corn or wheat allergy and not celiac disease. Corn does not digest well even in people without problems.
Click to expand...

I was losing weight at a rate of 2 lb/week. That stopped when I began to double the amount of daily calories. I now eat 4,000 calories/day

Question: If I have a gluten sensitivity wouldn't pasta also be trigger ?
 
dpwspringer said:
That's a tough problem and you have my sympathies. I suspect you have tried most everything you could think of but I'm going to ask anyway if you have used some organized procedure to test for food sensitivities? They ain't easy to do by any means but with your condition that might not seem like much of an issue. Most of us need some help with it, either specialized dietician like you mentioned or some book/procedure that gives you a reasonable chance to become your own specialized dietician.
Click to expand...

I used to keep a food diary but I could not identify any food that looked like the cause.
 
Last edited:
Traveler, yes, pasta definitely could be a trigger. If you want pasta there are several gluten free pastas on the market. Corn and rice. I happen to like brown rice pasta. A bit more expensive than regular but well worth it. With a good sauce you can't tell the difference.Read the sauce labels! Some have fillers. If it says modified food starch beware. Most are saying gluten free or if the modified food starch is from corn or wheat. I wish you well.
 
Traveler said:
I used to keep a food diary but I could identify any food that looked like the cause.
Click to expand...
Keeping a food diary is good and necessary in your detective work. You just need to have an organized plan that helps you figure out if it is food sensitivities and if it is, which ones. IMO you need to become competent in coming up with a plan or work with someone who is.
 
I agree, a strict food diary of EVERYTHING that goes in your mouth is in order, Traveler. Personally I would move to a whole foods diet (no processed foods and very little seasoning) for a while to know exactly what I'm eating. I suspect a food allergy of some kind, whether gluten or something else. The only time I have had similar issues was right after my gall bladder was removed; if I ate anything greasy or fried it was Katy bar the door!!

My sincere best wishes to you to get this figured out. Be sure to drink plenty of water, you don't need to be dehydrated from the diarrhea.
 
My late sister in law had that problem (no,this is not what she died from,she died from sepsis,unrelated). A friend suggeste she try this powder. But her doctor said it wouldn`t work-although he could not come up with any kind of diagnosis. Finally she tried it,and it worked almost immediately. Then a friend from childhood with whom I reconnected on Facebook,told me that she had been housebound for 7 years with the same problem. I suggested it to her and she is now able to live life again. Previously,she was unable to leave the house without wearing a diaper. I think it could be worth a try!
 
I agree that food sensitivity can definitely lead to the symptoms you have. Most doctors are just not trained to go further than the tests that they perform. A couple of things, dairy and gluten, in almost all literature are the most suspect foods for the guts and bowels to want to get rid of...and in most cases explosively. Many celiacs had your exact issue. I have worked with several that were housebound until they found the offending foods, in their case gluten, even a molecule. Sometimes probiotics can do wonders, but you have to take quite a bit more than what the bottle says, they are natural bacteria that your body is for sure missing. As well, you need to give your system a rest by going on a very "allergen free" diet, as was recommended earlier, like the virgin diet.
A naturopath that is trained for these type of issues can get you started on the right track. That is kind of their thing, taking over when the traditional doctors have reached the end of their tests. They have very strict standards similar to traditional doctors.
It is a bit of work to self diagnose after you start reintroducing foods, but it will normally tell you what you are sensitive to.
Don't give up! There is an answer!
 
I have the same problem if I eat dairy. It took a lot of work on my part but I finally realized I'm allergic to casein, the main protein in dairy. Doctors tend to misdiagnose and tell people they are lactose intolerant because most of them don't know the difference, and their patients go on being sick and wondering why. Variations on casein are in many products that are labeled non-dairy or dairy-free because casein gives food like Cool-Whip and non-dairy creamer a rich creamy mouth feel.
 
If you don't have any liver or kidney problems you can try the amino acid L-Glutamine, best in powder form. I don't have any Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea myself, so I have no personal experience, but I would definitely try some natural alternatives since the doctors have given you no relief. Full article that may be helpful HERE.


L-Glutamine



This is one of the best remedies to stop diarrhea that I have found. However, while it resolves the symptom, it does not completely address the cause of diarrhea - for that, you also need to take the probiotics.



Glutamine is well known as a key to the metabolism and maintenance of muscle. It can be considered (along with other amino acids) as a primary energy source for the immune system. L-glutamine is of particular interest to people with digestive disorders because it's the primary nutrient for the cells that line the gastrointestinal tract. It's an important nutrient for the large bowel and helps maintain normal functioning of the mucosal cells that line the colon.


One of L-glutamine's primary effects is the increased transport of water from the inside of the colon back into the body. This lessens the loss of electrolytes and water from the intestines that usually occurs with diarrhea. However, it's important to keep in mind that L-glutamine only has this effect when taken on an empty stomach. If you have problems with constipation, make sure you don't take glutamine on an empty stomach. Always mix it with other foods, or put it in a protein or elemental (pre-digested) diet shake.



In a trial conducted at the Mayo Clinic, patients with recurring pouchitis (inflammation of a j-pouch) who put 1/4 teaspoon of L-glutamine in their pouches twice a day showed a much greater reduction in inflammation and infection than the control group.



Recommended L-Glutamine Dosage: From 1 to 6 teaspoons of glutamine per day (in typical concentration, 1/4 teaspoon equals 1 gram of glutamine), mixed in cold or room temperature water or non-acidic juice. It’s best to break the dosage down as much as possible (e.g. 1 teaspoon, 6 times per day). You can buy it in powder form, and the great news is it's practically tasteless and odorless. Take it on an empty stomach. Store your glutamine in a cool, dry place, but do not refrigerate.




The glutamine takes effect very quickly and within a few days your stool will be formed and semi-solid. If you've had diarrhea for a long time, your rectal canal and other parts of your colon will have grown used to only soft, watery stool passing through.




Expect a bit of an uncomfortable period as your colon learns to adjust to a new type and process of passing stool. It's best to take it slowly, and give your colon plenty of time to adjust gently to the changes.

Some may experience pain as the harder, larger stool passes through a colon that had grown used to only soft bowel movements. Anal fissures may open as the rectal canal is quickly stretched wider than it is accustomed to. If that occurs, you can use FissureHeal to heal them quickly.



My recommendation is to start with only 1/4 teaspoon of glutamine per day for the first two weeks. If your colon is handling that dosage well, then increase it to 1/2 teaspoon per day - if not, stay at 1/4 teaspoon until your bowel has adjusted.

Gradually increase the dosage by 1/4 teaspoon at a time as your colon adjusts to the firmer stool, until you're up to a dosage that works well for you.

L-glutamine purchased at a bodybuilding supplement store can be a lot cheaper than glutamine purchased at a health food store/pharmacy.

However, the more expensive pharmaceutical grade L-glutamine powder is usually more finely ground, and dissolves better in water. If you have chronic renal failure (kidney disease) or liver disease, you should not take L-glutamine.
Click to expand...
 
Seabreeze, in all my research I have never come across L-Glutamine. I am intrigued by your suggestion. I will go now to Amazon.com and put it in my cart. Thank you.
 
Last edited:
I had a friend who died a few years back. He had Crohn's Disease. Your symptoms sound exactly what he went through. My friend, his wife and my wife and myself went out to eat one evening and right there in the restaurant he suddenly pushed back on his chair and took off running to the bathroom and I do mean running. He was gone for almost 15 minutes, so I thought that I better go check on him. When I went into the bathroom, I could see one person inside of one of the stalls. I called out to him and asked him if he was OK. He said that he was really ill and couldn't stop his bowels from moving.

After another five minutes, he told me that he felt like he was going to pass out and his legs were shaking uncontrollably. I thought it best to call for an ambulance and when the paramedics arrived, they checked him out and said that they had to transport him to the hospital. He was very dehydrated and very ill. He kind of went into a coma like act, meaning that he would be awake for awhile and then go unconscious.

Finally, the hospital staff was able to stabilize him. After that episode, he laid in the hospital for almost two weeks and was a very sick man. A few days later, he passed away. Scary stuff, if you ask me.
 
I had extremely bad diahrea for about 10 mos. I saw the GI doctors and had tests one after the other and they came up with nothing. Had the colonoscopy and everything. Finally, I was given the drug Flagyl (metronidazole) and after a few weeks the episodes quieted down and it was over. It also didn't help that I have and had IBS but that wasn't what caused it.
 
Getyoung said:
I agree that food sensitivity can definitely lead to the symptoms you have. Most doctors are just not trained to go further than the tests that they perform. A couple of things, dairy and gluten, in almost all literature are the most suspect foods for the guts and bowels to want to get rid of...and in most cases explosively. ...
Click to expand...
Sugar is another one of those, along with the dairy and gluten like you mentioned, that the current literature warns against in a big way. Also any thing that is GMO is highly suspect. FWIW, two of the things that tripped me up (and continue to do so) when I self-tested for food sensitivities were MSG and high fructose corn syrup... but my problems/issues were minuscule compared to what Traveler is going through.

Now I did develop some diarrhea issues when (after my testing) I was blending a lot as a regular breakfast. Best I could tell it was because I had started using nut meg daily in my morning smoothie and while some is good there is an accumulation issue with it... again this is just my best guess.
 
Smiling Jane said:
I have the same problem if I eat dairy. It took a lot of work on my part but I finally realized I'm allergic to casein, the main protein in dairy. Doctors tend to misdiagnose and tell people they are lactose intolerant because most of them don't know the difference, and their patients go on being sick and wondering why. Variations on casein are in many products that are labeled non-dairy or dairy-free because casein gives food like Cool-Whip and non-dairy creamer a rich creamy mouth feel.
Click to expand...

Smiling Jane, how did you discover that you had problem with casin. Was it some specific test ?
 
Traveler, you can also start using Metamucil (psyllium husks) today to help firm up your stools. Walmart sells a less expensive brand called Equate, around $10 for a large container. Start slow with it so your system gets used to it, maybe half the dose recommended on the label. Be sure to drink plenty of water with it.

I've had an ongoing issue with internal and external hemorrhoids, and I keep some on hand to soften the stool when I need to, it really helps. Depending on your condition, it can firm up a loose stool or soften a hard one. I'd give it a try if I were you, and if you start taking the L-Glutamine, just take it at a different time than the Metamucil, like amino acid in the mornings, psyllium in the late afternoon.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top